(The People of the Two Scriptures divided into seventy-two sects. This Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects, all in the Fire except one, that is, the Jama`ah. Some of my Ummah will be guided by desire, like one who is infected by rabies; no vein or joint will be saved from these desires.)

Mu`awiyah (رضي الله عنه) said next: By Allah, O Arabs! If you do not adhere to what came to you from your Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) then other people are even more prone not to adhere to it. ”

Similar was recorded by Abu Dawud from Ahmad bin Hanbal and Muhammad bin Yahya.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Salim bin `Amir said, “Mu`awiyah was leading an army in Roman lands, at a time the bilateral peace treaty was valid. He wanted to go closer to their forces so that when the treaty of peace ended, he could invade them. An old man riding on his animal said, `Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Great), Allahu Akbar! Be honest and stay away from betrayal.’ The Messenger of Allah said,

(Whoever has a treaty of peace with a people, then he should not untie any part of it or tie it harder until the treaty reaches its appointed term. Or, he should declare the treaty null and void so that they are both on equal terms.) When Mu`awiyah was informed of the Prophet’s statement, he retreated. They found that man to be `Amr bin `Anbasah, may Allah be pleased with him.”

This Hadith was also collected by Abu Dawud At-Tayalisi, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban in his Sahih. At-Tirmidhi said, “Hasan Sahih.”

It was said to ‘Abdullah bin al-Mubarak, “Which of the two is better, Mu’aawiyyah or ‘Umar bin ‘Abdil-’Azeez?” So he said, “The dust gathered in the nose of Mu’awiyyah with the Messenger of Allah is better and superior than ‘Umar bin ‘Abdil-Azeez.”

“All the Muslims unanimously agreed to swear allegince to him in 41 AH, and he remained in charge throughout this period until the year in which he died. Throughout this period Jihaad was ongoing in the lands of the enemies, and the Word of Allaah remained supreme, and booty was coming to him from the ends of the earth; the Muslims were at ease, enjoying justice, tolerance, and goodwill. He was forbearing, dignified, a leader, prominent among people, noble, just, and a man of chivalry. He was a man of good conduct, forgiving, tolerant and overlooking the mistakes of others – may Allaah have mercy upon him.”